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US Delivers More Patriot Missiles To Ukraine As Kyiv Cried For Help

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

KYIV/WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The U.S. has pledged to provide Ukraine additional Patriot missiles for its air defense systems after Kyiv urged similar protection as Israel, which recently shot down some 99 percent of rockets and drones fired by Iran and its proxies.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the Patriot missiles provided by Washington are part of a massive $6 billion additional aid package to wartorn Ukraine.

The missiles will be used to replenish previously supplied Patriot systems, he said.

The package also includes more munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and additional gear to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars into Ukraine’s existing weaponry, much of which still dates back to the Soviet era.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the need for Patriots early Friday with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries gathering virtually in a Pentagon-led meeting, Worthy News learned.

The meeting fell on the second anniversary of the group, which Austin said has “moved heaven and earth” since April 2022 to source millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket systems, armored vehicles, and even jets to help Ukraine halt Russia’s invasion.

Earlier, Kyiv noted that the success of Israel and its allies in essentially thwarting a massive Iranian missile and drone attack shows what Ukraine could achieve against Russian aerial barrages if it had more support from its partners.

AERIAL CAMPAIGN

A recent Russian aerial campaign targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and other targets has wrought extensive damage, and Ukrainian officials pleaded with the country’s Western allies to provide more air defense systems as the war stretches into its third year.

Israel’s defense system, with assistance from the U.S. and Britain — countries that are also supporting Ukraine’s war effort — is credited with preventing severe damage or casualties in Sunday’s attack by Iran using more than 300 drones and missiles.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters that Ukraine’s allies should “give us what we need, and we will do the rest of the job.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the same point referring to the Iranian attack. “The whole world sees what real defense is. It sees that it is feasible,” he wrote on the social media platform Telegram.

Zelenskyy said at least seven Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities. “We urgently need Patriot systems and missiles for them,” Zelenskyy added. “This is what can and should save lives right now.”

Yet despite the U.S. support, there has been reluctance among several countries who fear they could face defense issues themselves if they provide more support to Kyiv.

Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump has accused NATO military alliance allies of not paying enough for their defense, leaving much of the spending to the United States.